Psalms73

Asaph initially struggles with his faith, almost stumbling due to envy of the wicked's apparent prosperity and ease. However, upon entering God's sanctuary, he gains understanding of their sudden and ultimate destruction. He then reaffirms his unwavering trust in God, recognizing Him as his constant guide, strength, and eternal portion, despite his own failings.

The Psalmist's Initial Struggle

1
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. ​
2
But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped. ​
3
For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ​

The Deceptive Prosperity of the Wicked

4
For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm. ​
5
They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
6
Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment. ​
7
Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit. ​
8
They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9
They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth. ​
10
Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance. ​
11
They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” ​
12
Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

Doubt and Despair

13
Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence, ​
14
For all day long have I been plagued, and punished every morning. ​
15
If I had said, “I will speak thus”; behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children. ​
16
When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me;

The Turning Point in the Sanctuary

17
Until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end. ​
18
Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction. ​
19
How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
20
As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies. ​
21
For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
22
I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you. ​

Assurance and Eternal Hope

23
Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand. ​
24
You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ​
25
Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you. ​
26
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ​
27
For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you. ​
28
But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord the LORD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 73

Verse 1

This verse introduces the psalm with a crucial theological affirmation (God is good to Israel), which the Psalmist’s subsequent crisis of faith will test. Asaph, the author, immediately confirms the orthodox view before describing his doubt.

Verse 2

The metaphor of 'slipping feet' illustrates the near-total collapse of the Psalmist’s faith when confronted with the perplexing reality of injustice in the world.

Verse 3

The crisis is triggered by envy, a deep emotional response to the apparent success and prosperity enjoyed by those who actively disregard divine law.

Verse 4

The phrase 'no bands in their death' suggests that the wicked experience an easy, peaceful, and painless end, contrasting sharply with the suffering often associated with the righteous (see v. 14).

Verse 6

Pride and violence are described as clothing ('chain,' 'garment'), symbolizing that these sins are their defining characteristics and are displayed openly without shame.

Verse 7

Their physical indulgence ('eyes stand out with fatness') is a biblical sign of excessive luxury and moral corruption resulting from unchecked wealth and self-gratification.

Verse 9

Setting their mouth 'against the heavens' is supreme blasphemy, claiming superiority over God. Their tongue walking 'through the earth' signifies their widespread arrogance and destructive influence.

Verse 10

This difficult verse suggests that the wicked’s success causes even God's own people ('his people') to turn away from faith, perhaps adopting the wicked’s skepticism or being drawn into their prosperity.

Verse 11

This rhetorical question expresses the core arrogance of the ungodly: the denial of God's active knowledge, involvement, or care in human affairs (a form of practical atheism).

Verse 13

This marks the peak of the Psalmist's crisis. He feels that his commitment to purity and righteousness ('cleansed my heart') has been useless, as he has received only affliction while the wicked thrive.

Verse 14

The Psalmist contrasts his constant affliction ('plagued, and chastened every morning') with the ease of the wicked (v. 4), highlighting the apparent failure of the covenant promises of blessing.

Verse 15

Asaph recognizes that voicing his painful doubts publicly would cause others who trust God ('the generation of thy children') to stumble, showing a concern for corporate faith despite his personal agony.

Verse 17

The 'sanctuary of God' (the Temple) is the place of divine encounter. The resolution to the Psalmist’s crisis is not found through intellectual reasoning, but through spiritual insight granted during worship.

Verse 18

The vision changes: the wicked’s prosperity is now seen not as security, but as a dangerous, unstable height ('slippery places') from which God will cast them down into swift judgment.

Verse 20

The wicked's existence is transient and illusory, like a dream that vanishes when one wakes up. When God acts ('thou awakest'), their power and image will be utterly dismissed.

Verse 22

Looking back, Asaph judges his own jealousy and doubt as utterly irrational and spiritually dull, comparing his lack of understanding to that of an unthinking 'beast.'

Verse 23

Despite his momentary lapse (v. 22), the Psalmist affirms that God never abandoned him ('continually with thee'), illustrating God's steadfast faithfulness even when human faith falters.

Verse 24

This verse moves beyond temporal justice to eternal destiny. 'Glory' likely refers to eternal fellowship with God, which provides the ultimate resolution to the problem of suffering.

Verse 25

This is an intense expression of devotion (a confession of faith), declaring God as the sole object of desire and ultimate satisfaction, both in heaven and on earth.

Verse 26

Recognizing physical and emotional frailty, the Psalmist grounds his hope in God, who is his 'portion for ever.' This echoes the Levitical concept where God himself is the ultimate inheritance.

Verse 27

The fate of those who reject God ('go a whoring,' a metaphor for spiritual idolatry or apostasy) is contrasted sharply with the eternal hope of those who draw near to Him.

Verse 28

The psalm concludes with a renewed commitment to ministry ('declare all thy works') and closeness to God, affirming the goodness stated in verse 1, but now based on spiritual experience and revelation.

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